LECTURE 1:

HISTORY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION

• In the ancient age of Civil Engineering, man used caves as

shelter to protect themselves and trunk of a tree to cross river.

• The earliest practice started between 4000 and 2000 BC in

Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia when humans started to

abandon a nomadic existence.

• At this time, transportation became increasingly important

leading to the development of the wheel and sailing.

• Before the term Civil Engineer and Architect has no difference.

EARLY HISTORICAL WORKS

Pyramids in Egypt (circa 2700-2500 BC)

• Considered as first large structure construction.

• In 2550 BC, Imhotep built a famous stepped

pyramid for King Djoser located at Saqqara

Necropolis. His greatest contribution to

engineering was his discovery of the art of

building with shaped stones

EARLY HISTORICAL WORKS

Qanats (Water Management System)

• It is an underground channels that transport

water from a water well or aquifer to the surface

to use for irrigation and drinking.

• The oldest Qanats is 3000 years old and 71km

long.

EARLY HISTORICAL WORKS

Machu Picchu

• It was built at 1450s in the Andes Mountains

assisted by some of history’s most ingenious water

resource engineers.

• The people of Machu Picchu built a mountain top

city with running water, drainage systems, food

production and stone structures so advanced that

they endured for over 500 years.

• It was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in

1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983

EARLY SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

Archimedes’ Work (3

rd century BC)

• Archimedes is one of the earliest who used physical and

mathematical problems applicable to Civil Engineering.

• One of his work is “Archimedes’ Principle” – understanding of

buoyancy.
• The first engineering school located in France in 1747.

• Its teachers wrote books that became standard works on the mechanics of materials,

machines, and hydraulics, and leading British engineers learned French to read them.

National School of Bridges and Highways

Other information about Civil Engineering

• The first self-proclaimed Civil Engineer and also known as the

Father of Civil Engineering.

• He pioneered the use of hydraulic lime and developed a technique

involving dovetailed blocks of granite in the building of the

lighthouse. One of his known works is the Eddystone Lighthouse.

• In 1771, he founded the Society of Civil Engineers (now known as

the Smeatonian Society). Its object was to bring together

experienced engineers, entrepreneurs, and lawyers to promote the

building of large public works.

John Smeaton

• The world’s first engineering society was founded in London year

1818.

• Thomas Telford – eminent engineer became the first president of

the Institution

• The purpose of this institution is to learn from one another and

bring some developments in Civil Engineering.

• The institution received a Royal Charter in 1828, formally

recognizing Civil Engineering as a profession.

Institution of Civil Engineers

• The first private college in United States established year 1819 that included Civil
Engineering as a separate discipline.

Norwich University

• It awarded the first degree in Civil Engineering in the United States in 1835.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

• The first woman who received a degree of Civil Engineering granted by Cornell University

in 1905.

Nora Stanton Blatch

WHAT IS CIVIL ENGINEERING?

• Based on Institution of Civil Engineers:

“Civil engineering is the application of physical and scientific principles, and its history is

intricately linked to advances in understanding of physics and mathematics throughout history.

Because civil engineering is a wide ranging profession, including several separate specialized sub-

disciplines, its history is linked to knowledge of structures, material science, geography, geology,

soil, hydrology, environment, mechanics and other fields.”

LECTURE 2:

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND SOCIETY

AND OTHER PROFESSION

WHAT IS CIVIL ENGINEERING?

• Based on Institution of Civil Engineers:

“Civil engineering is the application of physical and scientific principles, and its history is

intricately linked to advances in understanding of physics and mathematics throughout history.

Because civil engineering is a wide ranging profession, including several separate specialized sub-

disciplines, its history is linked to knowledge of structures, material science, geography, geology,

soil, hydrology, environment, mechanics and other fields.”

WHAT IS AN ENGINEER?

Engineer are problem solvers

WHAT IS A PROFESSION?

A PROFESSION is defined by:

• Knowledge

– formal education, better judgment and continuous learning.

• Organization

– setting standards and establishes code of ethics.

• Public Good
– purpose of service and preservation of public welfare.

Roles of a Civil Engineer

• Build a quality of life with technical skills and

creative skills.

• Responsible to design safely that meet the standard

codes.

• Conduct on site investigations and analyze data

(maps, reports, tests, drawings, etc)

• Carry out technical and feasibility studies.

• Assess potential risk and provide advice to resolve

creatively any emerging problems/deficiencies.

Attributes of a Civil Engineer

• Must be innovative and logical individual.

• Ability to think critically and creatively.

• Good communication skill.

• Higher ethical standards.

• Must be able to collaborate with other professions.

• Ability to understand the bigger picture.

Civil Engineer’s Project works on:

Structural Engineering

Civil Engineer’s Project works on:

Construction Engineering and Management

Civil Engineer’s Project works on:

Geotechnical Engineering

Civil Engineer’s Project works on:

Water Resources Engineering

Civil Engineer’s Project works on:

Transportation Engineering

Civil Engineer’s Project works on:

Environment and Energy